While it is possible to develop lower back and leg pain from COVID, there are also several other causes. As experts in urgent healthcare services, AFC in Oak Ridge indicates why you might be experiencing back pain after COVID and explains some other reasons you might have lower back pain.
Lower Back and Leg Pain from COVID
Lower back pain is a possible symptom of COVID-19. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given that muscle and joint pain are common symptoms of most viral infections, especially when you have a fever. A 2021 study revealed that 43.6% of hospitalized people with COVID reported back pain, and 33.1% reported lower back pain. This type of pain can be caused by many factors, such as inflammation, which is a direct consequence of the illness, and spending long periods in bed, which worsens muscle tension.
Is My Lower Back Pain from COVID? Or Is it Something Else?
The lower back, also called the lumbar region, is the area of the back that starts below the ribcage. Almost everyone has had lower back pain at some point in their lives, so you can be assured that your back pain might not be from COVID. Here are some causes of lower back pain that aren’t due to COVID-19:
- Lower back injury or strain after lifting or pulling something heavy.
- Wearing heavy bags over your shoulders can strain your lower back, which supports your upper body.
- You might experience lower back pain after straining or injuring your lower back during exercise.
- Poor posture can also be a cause of lower back pain.
- On a more severe level, a herniated disk might be causing your lower back pain.
- Chronic conditions you might not know of can lead to lower back pain.
If you don’t think you have lower back pain due to the above, it’s worth heading to your AFC for diagnosis and treatment.
COVID-19 Symptoms
COVID-19 symptoms may appear from two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and people usually recover two weeks after infection in mild cases. In extreme cases, symptoms can persist for up to six weeks. Possible symptoms of COVID-19 include the following:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you have any of the above symptoms, it is recommended that you get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible. You should also practice social distancing and isolate yourself from others to avoid spreading the virus.
Head to AFC Oak Ridge for COVID-19 Testing
Think you need a COVID-19 test? At American Family Care in Oak Ridge, we offer COVID-19 testing and treatment. We want to ensure you have the tests and information you need to care for yourself and your loved ones. Head to our center for testing.
